O APRIL, month of Nymphs and Fauns and Cupids, Month of the Sungod's kisses, Earth's sweet passion Of fanciful winds and showers; Apollo, glorious over hill and dale Ethereally striding; grasses springing Rapt to his feet, buds bursting, flowers out-breathing Their liberated hearts in love to him. [The little black-cap garrulous on the willow Perching so prim, the crested chaffinch warbling, And primrose and celandine, anemone and daisy, Starring the tender herb which lambs already nibble.] Month of all-gathering warmth, Of breathless moments, hotter and hotter growing— Smiles turned to fire, kisses to fierce earnest— Of sultry swoons, pauses, and strange suspense (Clouds and dæmonic thunder through the blue vault threateningly rolling); Then the delirious up-break—the great fountains of the deep, in Sex, Loosened to pouring falling rushing waters; Shafts of wild light; and Sky and Earth in one another's arms Melted, and all of Heaven spent in streams of love Towards the Loved one. |